112 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
have conquered your land but to relieve it from the 
oppression of tyrants; and have taken charge of your 
wealth only to disburse it for your advantage; and 
those who evince a grateful sense of our goodness, by 
endeavouring to serve us to the best of their power, 
invariably receive some reward at our hands. — Pray 
what is this singular ruin which surmounts the hill 
above us ? ” 
“ That ! ’tis Khoob-soorut’s palace : all persons know 
the story.” 
“ No, I am altogether ignorant of the history of your 
town ; but my surdar has orders to supply with three 
days’ subsidy any man who adds a good story to my 
collection.” 
“ Chosen of Heaven, will it please you to bestow a 
few minutes’ patience while I relate to you the legend 
of the ruined palace which attracts your attention : 
there must be few indeed who can tell the tale with 
better effect than myself ; though I do not say this with 
any wish to persuade you that my story will be worth 
four days’ supply, where others have received three. 
Be pleased, Sir, to recline upon that white cloth while 
I rehearse my favourite 
“ STORY OF BUHDUNAUT AND KHOOB-SOORUT, 
which all who listen to declare to be very excellent. 
Every soul in this town knows it by heart, but there is 
not one who can recite it like myself ; and those who 
